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Hon Smith addressed over 225 delegates @ CRCA Conference in St Maarten

- hopes VI will have the facilities to host conference when its turn comes again
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), left, has said she was honoured to have addressed a group of Compliance professionals at the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA) Conference in St Maarten on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Photo: Facebook
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), right, with the Prime Minister of St Maarten, Luc F. E. Mercelina. Photo: Facebook
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), right, with the Prime Minister of St Maarten, Luc F. E. Mercelina. Photo: Facebook
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) said her theme during her address to the delegates at the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA) Conference in St Maarten was around building resilience and capacity in our financial services. Photo: Facebook
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) said her theme during her address to the delegates at the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA) Conference in St Maarten was around building resilience and capacity in our financial services. Photo: Facebook
PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten- The Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) has said she was honoured to have addressed a group of Compliance professionals at the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA) Conference in St Maarten on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The conference was hosted by the British Virgin Islands Association of Compliance Officers and Practitioners (BVIACO) but had to be held in St Maarten since the VI was unable to accommodate the large amount of delegates.

“I was honoured to deliver the keynote address to over 225 delegates at the Caribbean Region Compliance Association conference last Thursday at the Sonesta Ocean Point Hotel in St Maarten.  BVI was the host but St Martin graciously welcomed and accommodated the conference due to the need for accommodation all 250 delegates in one hotel with requisite conferencing facilities,” Hon Smith stated on social media on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Hon Smith reported that she shared the stage at the opening with the Prime Minister of St Maarten, Luc F. E. Mercelina; St Maarten’s Minister of Finance; the Parliamentary Secretary for Finance from the Bahamas; and Conference Chair T’sa James Hodge.

‘Building resilience & capacity’

She said her theme was around building resilience and capacity in our financial services.

The CRCA Conference is a critical platform for the region's financial professionals to address challenges, share best practices, and reinforce their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity. The Minister’s presence underscores the Virgin Islands' ongoing dedication to compliance and regulatory excellence within the global financial services industry.

“Thanks to the Government and people of St Maarten for stepping in this time. With at least two hotel developments in the pipeline, I hope that we will physically host this important conference next time our turn comes,” Hon Smith said.

9 Responses to “Hon Smith addressed over 225 delegates @ CRCA Conference in St Maarten”

  • Safari (21/10/2024, 07:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a shame that the host country lost out on sharing it's tourism product with foreign delegate due to inadequate facilities. Put the money where it matters.
    1. Hotel and conference facility
    2. Mental facility with housing quarters
    3. Juvenile detention center
    4. Half-way house.
    • Hotelier (21/10/2024, 14:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      With a joint effort from our hoteliers we could have accommodated this conference. Disgraceful it was given away. It shows how much the government really cares about our tourism industry.
  • HLSCC? (21/10/2024, 07:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wasn't there enough room to host this at HLSCC?
  • jack in the box (21/10/2024, 07:38) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    She is the only minister working hard for the people
  • james (21/10/2024, 08:10) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hm, and we tryna figure out why prospect has been a trash dump for over 20 years now instead of a thriving conference facility? Blind politicians into politricks.
  • jack in the box (21/10/2024, 18:02) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    She is brilliant and still in our corner
  • meh (21/10/2024, 18:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    While this is a big deal for the country, it’s also embarrassing that we couldn’t host it. If we could host a conference of 225 attendees, what will we do for VYBZ KARTEL???
  • So (21/10/2024, 21:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A) why did they all have to stay in the same hotel???
    B) would the hotel be the Prospect Reef rebuild financed by her Saudi Arabia trip results or does her family hotel business backed by Chinese investors plan on building one?
  • Eldread (21/10/2024, 21:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And premiere Wheatley can't do what Lorna does, but he is finance minister, he holding key ministries to keep him in power, you don't see how he have the public tax money?


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